Holly MatkinRaymond, MS – A manhunt is underway for one of two “dangerous” inmates who escaped from the Raymond Detention Center on Monday morning, just weeks after four other inmates broke of the jail through the facility’s roof.
Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones confirmed the latest jailbreak during a press conference on May 29.
“Here we are once again and I am apologizing to the people of Hinds County regarding what I would consider another public safety breach in our facility,” Sheriff Jones said, according to CNN. “Detainees are finding a way to damage the physical plant itself to be able to aid them with escaping the facility.”
The sheriff said the facility was “poorly built” in the first place and that it has continued to deteriorate.
A new facility is currently under construction, CNN reported.
Jail personnel realized 31-year-old Michael Lewis and 31-year-old Michael Spring were missing from the detention center after they conducted a count on Monday morning, according to Sheriff Jones.
A deputy also noticed “what appeared to be blood” and several other items next to an outer perimeter fence, CNN reported.
Investigators determined the duo broke out through the ceiling.
Escapee alert 🚨 Michael Lewis-31 (Left) and Joseph Spring-31 (Right) were both missing from the Raymond Detention Center during this morning’s official headcount. A breach in the facility was later located along with fence damage. Anyone with information call 601-352-1521. pic.twitter.com/RVefAx7qbq
— TyreeJonesSheriff (@TyreeSheriff) May 29, 2023
“We believe that they were able to get access to an air duct within the facility, which led to the exterior of the facility where they were able to go over a fence and escape,” Sheriff Jones said, according to CNN.
Spring, who had been at the facility since November of 2022, was being held on a burglary charge and probation and parole violations.
That escapee also has holds from other agencies as well, the sheriff told CNN.
Lewis was booked into the detention center in December of 2022 and was being held on charges of convicted felon in possession of a firearm, DUI, and marijuana possession.
“We also believe that he had holds with other agencies for his arrest,” Sheriff Jones noted.
The sheriff said in a Twitter update on Monday night that Lewis was apprehended in the area of Springridge Road and Seven Springs Road just a short while before.
He is now facing an additional escape charge.
Spring remains on the loose.
The latest escape came just weeks after four other inmates broke out of the same jail.
Escaped detainees alert 🚨 Dylan Arrington, Casey Grayson, Corey Harrison, Jerry Raynes were discovered missing from the Raymond Detention Center this morning. A breach was discovered in B-Pod. A white Hinds County public works pickup truck has also been reported stolen. pic.twitter.com/SAHjwCe4Il
— TyreeJonesSheriff (@TyreeSheriff) April 23, 2023
That incident occurred at approximately 8 p.m. on April 22, WAPT reported.
Investigators said the four inmates also breached the facility’s roof to make their escape.
Sheriff Jones told WAPT it was believed the inmates possibly “camped out on the roof and departed at different ways at different times.”
The sheriff said jail staff realized the inmates were missing the following morning.
The escapees were identified as 51-year-old Jerry Raynes, 22-year-old Dylan Arrington, 24-year-old Casey Grayson, and 22-year-old Corey Harrison.
Investigators said they believe that after his escape, Arrington fatally shot 61-year-old Anthony Watts on April 24 when Watts stopped to help him after a motorcycle crash, WLBT reported.
Arrington allegedly shot Watts multiple times, then stole the slain pastor’s red Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck and sped away.
Arrington shot a deputy in the leg during a standoff at a residence in Carthage, Mississippi, two days later.
The home ultimately went up in flames, and the fugitive’s charred remains were found inside.
Grayson was found unresponsive inside a pickup truck in New Orleans on April 30, WLBT reported.
Sheriff Jones said police found illegal narcotics inside the vehicle, but it is unknown if the drugs played a role in the fugitive’s death.
Raynes was apprehended in Spring Valley, Texas, on April 27.
Harrison was apprehended in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, on May 4, according to WSAZ.
